5 Questions For Your Destination Wedding:

Dreaming big for your destination wedding? What even constitutes a destination wedding? Isn’t every wedding technically a destination? All questions we’ve received from couples while considering the (only slightly) more complicated plans for a big day abroad, but here we like to be up front about what we consider the definition of ‘destination’ as far as destination weddings go.

Consider this just a small starter list of five big questions that we hope can set you down the path of whatever destination wedding means to you.

After all, its your wedding.

How Big Is Your Idea?

I tend to like the idea that destination weddings seek a few things in particular and tend not to be completely about location. In doing so, following a small code can help your wedding be as grandiose or as intimate as you like.

I’ve covered destination weddings to exotic beaches with boat rides, ocean views, surf trips, sand and waves, as well as mountain lodges tucked away under alpine peaks with just a handful of friends and family overlooking gorgeous wildflower meadows.

It really depends on you the couple and what you want. Are you going for easy vibes, warm sunny sands and fruity drinks? Do you have a big family and need to cater for cousins and kids? Or maybe you want to keep the guest list around 30 and its adult only with accommodations.

All can dictate your destination from rain forest cabins mere hours away, to 5 days in Mexico, to a snowy adventure with the wedding party hiking in to a remote mountain lake. The idea is simple; know your idea! Decide and go for it. As one of our favorite quotes from master Yoda goes... “Do, or do not. There is no try.”

How Big Is Your Budget?

Hating to be the bearer of bad news, budget is simply a reality for any wedding and wanting to focus on your location requires a huge amount of consideration. Prioritizing is key, and if your priority is your location, stick to your location and go from there. It is simply a fact that destination weddings tend to be on the pricier side, but knowing exactly what your boundaries are and being clear with your guests of what it may also cost them is always a helpful courtesy. No ones likes surprises when it comes to expenses, and this includes any of the other vendors you may hope have be part of your day. Photographers, Videographers, food, drink, accommodations.. Not necessarily in that order but we can admit our bias and say go with the guy that does both photo AND video.. wink wink..

Your budget will let you know your wheelhouse of what is possible for you and can set the parameters for the following of many lists… guest list, vendors, hotels and/or travel. Once you start gathering information and crunching numbers, confirmations and bookings can abound.

How Big Is Your Guest List?

Let’s try and be clear, no one wants anyone to have a bad time abroad, least of all the bride and groom especially for their wedding. Health issues, emergencies, allergies.. people are people and accidents happen. Maybe this question is directed more toward the goal of knowing who you are inviting. Your brother has 5 kids under 10? Probably not going to be doing that cocktail sailboat ride. Aunt Margaret doesn’t like to fly? Likely not going to book the 3 stop connection to Florida. The point is know your group, what they do and do not want to do, and be ok with what YOU want to do. Its your wedding! While it is easily and understatement to say, no one wants to exclude anyone for their wedding, don’t let it dictate too much what you’d like for your wedding. It only happens once and you can make sure and get hundreds of photos and a great video to send around… *triple wink*

What’s Important To You?

While its not usually uncommon for couples to know what they like to do together, it is sometimes tough to translate that to wedding activities. Do you both like the ocean? Is quality organic exquisite foodie culture how you met at a cooking class? Did the proposal take place atop a glacier after ice climbing? Your destination should reflect what you care about and the more unique and specific it is to you, the more interesting, personal and memorable it can be. We’re not saying an underwater SCUBA ceremony is as easy as a few people gathered at the beach.. but the point is think of the places you’ve been, seen or scouted on road trips, been backpacking, seen online, or visited during that three years you lived as a beach bum. If they have the space accessibility and weather, really consider possibilities that may seem outrageous at first. They tend to grow on you.

What Do You Know About Your Destination?

This one sort of summarizes all the above into the final boss of trying to plan and consider your destination wedding; get specific! Weather, driving directions, transportation, seasons, availability.. the obstacles can seem never ending but adjustment is never failure and we believe done is always better than perfect. That being said, know when to push and when to wait. Gather info, send a message, call the venue, talk to the owner or manager and build some rapport and see what happens. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received from an editor was; “People are far more likely to do what you want them to do when they like you.” It’s simple but it has really gotten me in and out.. of many situations that led to the better.

We never said it was easy, but not much about life is these days and what better way to look back when it all comes together and you’re surrounded by family and friends, or completely solo just the two of you and having an experience to remember for the rest of your lives.

Having the photos or video and memories to look back on could be another story in a list of many that make your wedding that much more meaningful and memorable.

..And we know a photographer whose ready for anything..

-Rhys